The Beginning
Lawrence (Larry) W. O’Nan created the name Andy Ant when he was telling a bedtime story to his young daughter. Several years later Gerald (Jerry) D. O’Nan began writing stories using the name Andy Ant as one of the primary characters. The stories you now read about the Adventures of Andy Ant are all based on events from Jerry’s childhood and the characters are all inspired by people he knew growing up.
When Larry learned about Jerry’s stories, it led the two brothers to form Andy Ant Productions, Inc. Even though they lived in different states, the brothers would get together each year for a 4-wheel drive, brainstorming session, in the Colorado Rockies.
Larry used his unique marketing skills to find a publisher and Jerry continued writing the stories about the Adventures of Andy Ant.
The Author of The Adventures of Andy Ant stories.
Gerald (Jerry) O’Nan is an attorney living in Lakewood, Colorado with his fetching bride of more than 50 years. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado (BA ’71) and the University of Louisville School of Law (JD ’74). Prior to retirement, he was the Assistant Regional Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior. During more than 38 years of service, he wrote numerous briefs, litigation reports, and opinions. Unrelated to his work with Interior he started writing articles for magazines and newspapers. His first published article was for the Denver Post, Monument to a Heart’s Desire.
In the early ‘80s, he started writing children’s stories. The first Andy Ant story he wrote was The Swimming Hole Disaster, from events that he experienced on a hot summer day in his hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado.
The stories are all written in the first person by “Joey,” Andy’s human friend. In reality, “Joey” is Jerry, and Andy is a composite of people Jerry knew growing up.
In addition to the Andy Ant stories, Jerry wrote eighteen children’s stories for Moody Monthly, a publication out of Chicago. Similar to the Andy Ant series, the Moody stories are all based on events from Jerry’s childhood and the characters are all people who played an important role in his life.
Jerry is active in his church and still loves telling stories, especially to kids. He has taught creative writing seminars for Denver Public Schools and the Jefferson County School District in Colorado.
The illustrator: Norman F. McGary
Through an international artist contest, a seasoned illustrator was sought to bring visual life to the wonderful adventures of Andy Ant and Joey. As part of this contest, Norm McGary was invited to provide his interpretation of Andy Ant and Joey’s neighborhood. When Norm submitted his concept art proposal, it was evident to the judges that he was the one artist who far exceeded all other contestants.
Norm McGary began his creative career at the age of 16 by developing the visual images of The Three Pigs for Walt Disney. He soon joined the original Disney illustration team and worked for Walt Disney for 22 years. He was heavily involved in illustrating many of the timeless Disney characters between the early 1940s and 1962. Norm created the original Disneyland coloring book, which was given to each of the kids on opening day.
He later became a lead illustrator for Hannah-Barbera Productions, providing images of characters such as Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear, and the Flintstones. Following his time with Hannah-Barbera, Norm joined Warner Brothers and worked on Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner.
Many of the famous Golden Books for Kids featured his action-packed artwork.
After more than 40 years of studio work in Hollywood, with many characters to his credit, he told a friend, “I am finished with cartoon personalities. I want to now focus on real life.” Soon after this, Norm was introduced to Andy Ant. After reading Swimming Hole Disaster by Gerald D. O’Nan, he knew that he had to create the visual personality of Andy, his family, his underground ant world, and the family and neighborhood of Joseph Tyler Johnson. He dedicated two years to collaborating with Larry and Jerry O’Nan to bring the Adventures of Andy Ant to life. Norm wanted children to visualize Andy Ant’s unseen world as they learned timeless virtues and values.
The Creator of The Name, “Andy Ant”
Lawrence (Larry) W. O’Nan created the name Andy Ant in 1975 because his young daughter asked him to tell her a bedtime story. He responded one evening as she was about to sleep by saying, “Once upon a time, there was an ant….” His daughter interrupted him by asking, “Daddy, what was his name?” Andy was the first name that came to Larry’s mind that fit well with Ant.
Larry graduated in 1966 from the University of Colorado with a degree from the School of Education and a focus in English, Speech, and Theater Arts. Rather than pursuing a teaching vocation, he applied his creative skills as a leader of Cru. Between 1966 and 1985, he served in various leadership roles with this international nonprofit. He specialized in formulating fund development strategies that provided substantial resources for breakthrough initiatives worldwide.
In September 1985, Larry joined Management Development Associates as Vice President of Stewardship Strategies. For 30 years, he served as a consultant, facilitator, and coach to leaders of non-profits. More than $250 million was raised by over 40 non-profit organizations worldwide to achieve ministry initiative outcomes.
Larry is the author of Giving Yourself Away (1984) and Intentional Living and Giving (2024). He has used his writing skills to develop hundreds of funding proposals for non-profit organizations he assisted. He is also the co-author of four assessment tools: the Church Stewardship Inventory, the Organization Stewardship Inventory, the Personal Stewardship Inventory, and the Success Probability Inventory.
Larry is actively involved in nonprofit board governance. He continues to consult with a limited number of nonprofits in the fund development disciplines in the U.S. and overseas. 
Fun Adventures With a Purpose
Each Andy Ant story tells about exciting events that happened during an episode with Joey and Andy. Joey gives his personal account of the adventure in each book. The stories allow the two main characters to reflect on what happened and what they learned during their experience.
You can learn how Andy and Joey met by reading the first book of this series, Lawn Mower On the Loose. The stories provide excitement and surprises and let young readers learn Biblical values and virtues, and the consequences of what you do.
Andy Ant Goes Global
The Adventures of Andy Ant book series has helped kids around the world learn life lessons. In addition to American English, these adventure stories have been translated into Polish, German, Swedish, Slovenian, Croatian, British English, and Australian English.
The Adventures of Andy Ant have helped us teach our son about friendship and loyalty. Andy Ant is best friends with a human boy named Joey. Diversity doesn’t get much stronger than that haha! They are friends because they value each other for who they are. They learn from and respect their obvious differences. What a great example of unconditional love and true friendship.
~Jessica, mother of one, San Bernardino, CA